First the skunk. Then the bigger stink.

Stench drives family from home for a year

May 09, 2008|By Lisa Black, TRIBUNE REPORTER

The company, in a statement detailing the more than $500,000 it has paid toward the Royals' case, listed about $235,500 toward vendors for painting, landscaping and removing carpeting, drywall and appliances; and $169,000 to clean clothes, cover content loss and move the family. Another $100,000 went toward housing and feeding the family of six, first in a hotel, then at the Glencoe house, according to the statement, which was provided by the Royals.

Insurance experts said most homeowner policies cover damage caused by animals not owned by the resident, as long as they do not fall under common exclusions, such as rodents, birds, insects and vermin.

"Sometimes, unfortunately, consumers have to file a lawsuit," said Michael McRaith, director of the Illinois Division of Insurance, which tried to mediate the disagreement.

Legislation proposed

The Royals contacted state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest), who filed legislation in late April that she described as "common-sense safeguards" on how insurers handle claims.

She has proposed prohibiting insurers from canceling or refusing to renew property insurance while a claim is outstanding and setting 30-day deadlines for insurers to respond to claims. The new wording won't affect the Royals' case but could help prevent future conflicts, she said.

The Royals say they are insulted that the insurance company now questions whether the house ever smelled like skunk, suggesting that the family is using its money to redecorate.

"Yes," Vicki Royal said, "because when you redecorate you're really thinking, 'what I really want is new drywall.'"